pH how important for dwarfs???

[fish_face]

Now i'm sure that it is a crime against fish keeping to ask this question, but i'm afraid I must! How important is the pH when keeping dwarf cichlids?

I have quite a mix of fish as you can see from my sig. I have read that the dwarf cichlids (agazzisi and cockatoo) prefer soft acid water. The trouble is that the water in our area is hard and alkaline.

Will this harm the fish or is it more important for breeding, which i'm nor particularly worried about?

Is there any SAFE way of altering the pH without affecting any of my other fish?

Sorry for the list of questions

 

[Peter Lovett]

Well pH and hardness is only really important for breeding. However some apistos will not live as long in hard alkaline water, though the two species you have will be just fine. You may also find that your cacatuoides may even spawn successfully.

If it was not for you pseudotropheus coulis, which would not like soft acidic water, would be to get an RO unit and filter the water that it produces though peat.

But with the fish you have i would do leave the water as it is.

 

[freddyk]

I agree. I've never met a fish that couldn't handle my local tap water of about ph 8 for community setups, when breeding isnt' a concern. I've found they'll usually still spawn, but not always successfully.

 

[Griz]

Most of the more common Apistogramma will generally do fine in a slightly alkaline pH. My cockatoos are doing fine in a pH of 7.5. Read up on the specific species available to you first to make sure however. Depending on the species, breeding may equires soft water and an acid pH. Cockatoos are probably the most tolerant of higher pH and are also a very good starter apisto, they will even breed in a pH of 7.5. They are also one of the more readily available species and one of the more beautiful IMO.

I would advise against messing with your pH using anything other than peat.

 

[fish_face]

Thanks for the advice guys My mind is at ease now